Resolving the two HTML 5 specifications

For those who find the two versions (WHATWG and W3C) of the HTML 5 specification a source of more heat than light.

On 25th or 26th June 2010, depending on your time zone, Ian Hickson, who edits both versions said in an eMail

The WHATWG doesn’t actually work on HTML5, it works on an unversioned specification for HTML that is to be continually maintained. “HTML.next”, if you will (though the spec’s title is still “HTML5” by request from advocates…

In other words the WHATWG (Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group) is also defining whatever comes next.

Having been distracted myself by the sometimes aggressive discussion this is an important point, that can help interested parties to better untangle what is being said.